why does extending naps help on day but not next?

[allyson]

My 8 month old is sleeping great at night 7-6ish and puts herself to sleep in her crib. I have noticed that she goes through a jolt at 25 min and has been waking up at 30 min. I have been sneaking in and placing my hands on her to get her through it. I then stay for 15-20 min or so to maks sure she is back sleeping. yesterday it worked and today it did not? nor sure hwy. is it normal to take a long time for this to work and some days it will and wont? just curious. My husband stopped home for lunch before her nap, co you think this effected her? I did wind her down after he left.

I ended up failing on getting her through her jolt and had to pick her up and rock her a bit and she fell asleep. then I tried to transfer her back and she woke up from being moved.

I know she is capable of long naps, because she has done them before on her own. just wondering

with me holding her and getting her through her jolts she slept for about 1 hour and is happily awake now so I cannot complain. I am glad I got her back to sleep. 

just curious for future purposes

[Colesmom]

hi there-it could be that your DH made her a little more stimulated than normal.  I find that each day is different as well.  Some days I can extend the naps, some days not.   At 8 months it is likely a matter of A time being too short so she's not tired enough. How long is she up between sleep periods?

[allyson]

In the morning 2.5 hours from awake and she usually only sleeps for 40 minutes and in the afternoon 3 hours from she wakes from her first nap. she wakes at 30 minutes and I try and get her back. I am afraid  to get her too overtired, should I try and extend it?

naps usually
8:30-9iish
12:30ish
4ish

on this schedule she is needing 3 naps still. taking a catnap at 4ish and going to bed at 7ish.Is this typical for this age?
thanks so much for your help. I know I have been emailing a lot of posts, but she has changed things so I just need some guidance.

[Colesmom]

hi-how is she going down?  is she settling well?  if she is crying or fighting going down that could be an indication that you could increase A time.  I know with my lo, 40-45 means it's time to increase A, 30 usually means A is too long.  worth a try for a day anyway.

no worries about posting alot.  we all need help.  this is a tricky age.  i JUST got my DS into a good routine after about 8 weeks of craziness.